CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Because he has done so much, for so long, in his decorated career, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey provides plenty of perspective about where the Broncos are as a team right now.

And, after watching what linebacker Von Miller did against Carolina Sunday, Bailey matter-of-factly tossed Miller's name into the league's defensive player-of-the-year race.

"I don't ever like to get ahead of myself," Bailey said. "It's important to keep things where they need to be, but I really can't say he's not playing better than anybody right now. Because he is playing better than anybody right now. It's amazing what he's doing. He just needs to stay the course, and it will all work itself out. But I'm glad I'm around to see him do what he's doing"

And if Miller keeps doing what he's doing, that's bad news for opposing offenses. Miller leads the league in tackles for loss with 21, having added four more Sunday.

He also had a sack, giving him 10. Miller has reached double digits in each of his first two seasons. He had 11.5 sacks last season on the way to NFL defensive rookie of the year honors. The Panthers often tried to use a tight end to slow down Miller, a mismatch Miller repeatedly took advantage of on the way to Cam Newton.

In addition to the tackles and the sack, Miller also grasped Newton's leg to force a poor throw on the interception Broncos cornerback Tony Carter returned for a touchdown. The Broncos selected Miller No. 2 in the 2011 draft, just after the Panthers Newton.

"He's a dynamic guy, I think this kind of meant something to him," Broncos coach John Fox said.

Asked if he liked the match-up with an opposing tight end trying to slow down Miller, Fox added: "To be real honest with you, I kind of like Von matched up on anybody. A lot of people try different things. He's pretty special."

Miller has played 24 regular-season games and has 21.5 career sacks. Sunday he made the Broncos' first sack of the game — on a third-and-4 play on the Panthers' opening possession.

After the play he mocked Newton's "Superman" pose.

"I had a plan. I talked about it all week (in the locker room), but if you talk about it (in public) and it doesn't happen, it's always worse," Miller said. "It's good to talk about it and get it done so quick in the game.

"I just want to keep going, keep doing what I'm supposed to do, keep working. I don't want to be satisfied with this and that. I want to win. I want to be a guy everybody counts to help us win."

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